Diane Lorraine (Burch) Puryear

March 27, 2013

Diane Lorraine Puryear passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 25, 2013, at sunset, serenaded by a full chorus of frogs. She was born in Poteau on Aug. 11, 1951. She grew up in Panama and Arcata, Calif., with her three siblings, David, Linda and Bruce. Linda and David passed in 2012, preceded by Bruce in 1997. Diane graduated from Arcata High School in 1969. She joined the U.S. Marine Corps for two years during the Vietnam era. While enlisted she was a clerk during the time of changing from typewriters to computers.
She also earned an AA degree from College of the Redwoods with an interest in English literature. She more than likely owns every science fiction book ever printed, and loved her Kindle. She attended Humboldt State University, focusing still on English.
In May of 1975, she married William E. Puryear and was blessed with two children, Bryce of Kneeland, Callif., and Ciara of Glendale, Ariz. Besides creating a house, home and family she was employed as a crew leader at the USFS tree nursery until they closed. In the early 1990s, she created Puryear Water Delivery and loved every challenge that came with having a small business in Humboldt County (feast or famine).
She especially liked fairies, mythology and the mystical. She had a love of animals and we were never without any; dogs, cats, goats, horses and more. Not only was she an advocate for animals, but human rights, too.
Special thank you to Dr. Palmer, Dr. Swenson and the entire caregiver group at San Francisco Veterans Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Mad River Hospital, Eureka Orthopedic, and Eureka Health and Rehabilitation.
Diane is survived by her husband, children and mother, Freda Bandoni of Arkoma. Services will consist of those still living memories of herÂ sharing and caring nature. She is on her way to her personal star now.
Bye bye, babe.